Describing them as ‘disappointing’, she said they would only encourage a gay player to hide their sexuality’.

She said: ‘In terms of the environment of someone coming out, today, now, has probably never been a better time to come out.

‘Society has changed really quite significantly from a generational perspective in terms of attitude towards homosexuality.

‘I think if someone were to decide to come out that they should feel they are being supported by the authorities and that any abuse would be tackled in the same way as it would be if it was directed towards one of their black players.’

The Tory Minister added: ‘I would say to anyone in any sport that if they felt the time was right to come out – and that is a personal decision for them – that they should feel they have the support of the governing bodies they are within.’